Hawking Technology Wireless-G Router manual Modes, Channels, Ad-hoc Mode, Infrastructure Mode

Appendix B	B
About Wireless LANs

This Appendix provides some background information about using Wire- less LANs (WLANs).

Modes

Wireless LANs can work in either of two (2) modes:

∙Ad-hoc

∙Infrastructure

Ad-hoc Mode

Ad-hoc mode does not require an Access Point or a wired (Ethernet) LAN. Wireless Stations (e.g. notebook PCs with wireless cards) communicate directly with each other.

Infrastructure Mode

In Infrastructure Mode, one or more Access Points are used to connect Wireless Stations (e.g. Notebook PCs with wireless cards) to a wired (Ethernet) LAN. The Wireless Stations can then access all LAN resources.

Access Points can only function in "Infrastructure" mode, and can communicate only with Wireless Stations which are set to "Infrastructure" mode.

BSS

BSS

A group of Wireless Stations and a single Access Point, all using the same ID (SSID), form a Basic Service Set (BSS).

Using the same SSID is essential. Devices with different SSIDs are unable to commu- nicate with each other.

Channels

The Wireless Channel sets the radio frequency used for communication.

∙Access Points use a fixed Channel. You can select the Channel used. This allows you to choose a Channel which provides the least interference and best perform- ance. In the USA and Canada, 11 channel are available. If using multiple Access Points, it is better if adjacent Access Points use different Channels to reduce inter- ference.